We ain’t afraid of no ghosts. In fact, we seek them – ghost points, that is. Ghost Points are fantasy points that do not come from attacking returns or clean sheets. These can come in the form of key passes, shots on target, successful dribbles, interceptions, and tackles, among others. Identifying these points is essential for your Fantasy EPL prospects, and our Gameweek 24 Ghost Point Hunters article is here to help!
This Ghost Point Hunters article is based on the Fantrax Scoring System. Check out our Ghost Point Tracker page for the full list of Fantasy EPL players and their respective Ghost Point capabilities!
Gameweek 24 Ghost Point Hunters
At the time of writing, the last game of the GW - the title decider, the game to end all games, if the media & incredulous fans of both teams are to be believed - has yet to be played. In the meantime, we're looking to do things a little differently this week. In a GPH first, we're analyzing all the folks on the big board (Rodri, Antonee Robinson, & Thomas Partey) with a view of discrediting their ghost point bonafides. We'll then revert back to the more traditional Honorable Mention, which consists of Estupinan, Salisu, Ouatarra, Veltman, Ayling, & Chilwell. The Dr. Peter Venkman Award also remains the same, and it goes to the One Week Wonder, Mr. Tete of Leicestershire.
Rodri
Position: Midfielder
Team: Manchester City
Rostered: 99%
Ghost Points Per Start: 7.8
Ghost Points Last GW: 19
Prospects: The most nailed on Pep Guardiola-managed player of all time. The guy just doesn't miss games or get rotated. This will continue - but what won't continue is this absurd level of ghost points.
Verdict: As mentioned above, Rodri will not ghost like this again this season (fingers crossed that the subsequent matchup v Arsenal does not prove us wrong). This makes for a classic trade high scenario, unless he shows it again mid-week.
A tried and true fantasy performer, what you see is usually what you get with Rodri. The no nonsense Man City CDM doesn't even untuck his shirt; he isn't setting the world ablaze. Fantasy-wise, he is the same - solid, nailed on starter, good but unspectacular floor, occasional attacking return. That was until this GW, when he is coincidentally up against yours truly. Nineteen ghost points and a goal later, Rodri is currently the highest scorer this GW...and still has a game to go.
So what on earth is going on (other than the fantasy gods continuing their incessant vendetta against us)? The intelligent/football hipster answer is that Pep tweaked the system, utilizing Bernardo Silva as an inverted fullback, which allowed Rodri to take a more advanced role in the build-up/attack. Whatever the reason, here are the results: 4 Key Passes, 2 Shots on Target, 1 ACNC, 1 Interception, 1 Clearance, 2 Successful Dribbles, 1 Blocked Shot, & 5 Aerials. Will Pep persist with this magical system? Is this Casper surge going to last? No. Pep may revert to these tactics every now and again but there is nothing to suggest that Rodri will now all of a sudden ghost at this rate. His ghost point per start average is 7.8 this season (after adding the inflation of this last game) and it was 6.3 last season and 7.4 the season before that. More importantly, he won't be facing us next GW. Trade high.
Antonee Robinson
Position: Defender
Team: Fulham
Rostered: 45%
Ghost Points Per Start: 7.1
Ghost Points Last GW: 19
Prospects: The American should continue to be a consistent starter at the LB position. Fulham are showing more defensive solidity but don't expect more ghosting performances like this.
Verdict: Trade high or hold/stream in good matchups.
Self-appointed nicknames just aren't cool, even if they are references to Star Wars. Antonee "Jedi" Robinson doesn't care. He'd tell you what's cool is dropping 19 ghost points, now that's cool, especially when they come from such a plethora of sources: 2 Key Passes, 1 Tackle Won, 3 ACNC, 3 Interceptions, 1 Clearance, 3 Successful Dribbles, 1 Blocked Shot, & 4 Aerials. That was Antonee's performance this past GW against Forest; impressive stuff.
The problem is that this is probably fleeting. But we'll start with the positives. This is the 3rd straight double digit performance from Robinson. Fulham are starting to display some defensive solidity - 3 clean sheets in the last 5 games. Now for the bad news. The Cottagers face 5 tricky fixtures (Wolves @ home notwithstanding, although under Lopetegui that is no longer a picnic): @Brighton, Wolves, @Brentford (one of the worst fixtures possible at the moment), Arsenal, @Liverpool. And Jedi's lightsaber normally doesn't have this kind of battery power. His ghosties per start are a decent 7 (after the slight bump from this 19 point display). He'll be a streamer ROS - sell high if you can.
Thomas Partey
Position: Midfielder
Team: Arsenal
Rostered: 69%
Ghost Points Per Start: 6.4
Ghost Points Last GW: 18
Prospects: See above for Rodri but add in more chance of injury & less consistent fantasy points.
Verdict: Hold until the next DGW (GW25) or trade high.
There's a pattern forming. The last of the trio of overperformers is one Thomas Partey, the heartbeat of the league leading side. But a fraud nonetheless. Fraud might be harsh. The Ghanaian, an incredible player in real life, is a perfect fantasy asset for a double gameweek like GW23 - a nice 5 to 7 points almost every game, which adds up when given two bites of the apple in a DGW. But his last performance was anything but normal. Partey delivered 18 ghosties, stemming from: 5 Key Passes, 2 Tackles Won, 1 ACNC, 1 Interception, 1 Clearance, 4 Successful Dribbles.
This just happened to be a personal record for Thomas. His ghosties per start this season is around 6 - standard for a CDM but a far cry from 18 - and he hasn't hit double digits in total points since October when he bagged a goal. This is keeping with his historical GPPS numbers, which are also under 7: 6.8 in 2020/2021 & 6.4 in 2021/2022. Thus, it's fairly clear that this was an aberration that won't happen again (until he faces us again, at least). Partey doubles again next GW; test the market now and hold for the DGW if offers aren't sufficient.
Honorable Mention:
Pervis Estupinan (Brighton DEF; 17 ghosts): Robbed of a goal but not his dignity/ghosts. The Ecuadorian is on quite a good run of form. He's finally repaying the patience some managers showed him.
Mohammed Salisu (Southampton DEF; 17ghosts): What are we going to do with these damn Southampton defenders? One week it's Bednarek, the other it's Salisu who gets the ghosts. This is one to monitor with Jones getting the sack. It's a roll of the dice until we get some consistency.
Dango Ouatarra (Bournemouth FWD; 14 ghosts): The new boy is hitting the ground running & staking a claim for best January signing. Even against a stout defense, he did the business. Let's see if he keeps it up.
Joel Veltman (Brighton DEF; 13 ghosts): He's an odd duck. He can ghost but also disappear. With the Seagulls alternating between blanks and DGWs, he could be a good option for the latter.
Luke Ayling (Leeds United; 12 ghosts): We thought we might be done with him after the DGW but he just keeps ghosting. He's developing a 7-8 point floor regardless of goals conceded. If he can add cleanies & attacking returns (he gets in very dangerous positions), he can be a set & forget DEF3/4.
Ben Chilwell (Chelsea DEF; 9.25 ghosts): Poor Chilly has been plagued by constant injuries over the past few years but is now back fit (for the moment at least). In his 22 minute cameo over the weekend, he clocked over 9 ghosties - very impressive. If you can get him in for relatively cheap, now is the time.
Dr. Peter Venkman Award:
Tete (Leicester FWD; 1 ghost): Life comes at you fast, especially in this cruel fantasy world we inhabit. Last week, new transfer Tete was the belle of the ball; just one game and a few days later, he's not. The Brazilian forward followed up his 17.5 point display in GW22 with a 1 pointer over the weekend against Tottenham - a game in which his team scored 4 goals. This pathetic performance included just 1 Successful Dribble & 1 Aerial; add (or subtract, however you want to phrase it) a dispossession and you get 1 point. We were one of the few advising caution with regard to Tete after that dazzling debut. His 17.5 pointer included just 6 ghosts and his profile - winger who thrives off successful dribbles (which also results in dispossessions) & attacking returns - likely doesn't support a strong and consistent ghost point floor. Tete will continue to offer some upside as he should be relatively nailed on the RW of a relatively strong attacking side. But temper expectations, especially with a tough schedule upcoming.
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
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